Detasseling safety headwear

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a new and improved form of protective headwear that incorporates a shield composed of a strong, durable mesh material that protects the wearer from cuts, scratches, scrapes, and other injuries to the face, eyes, and/or neck. An embodiment of the present invention comprises an article of headwear having a shield securely or releasably attached to a portion of the headwear with the shield shaped and sized such that it covers a substantial portion of the wearer's face and/or neck.

1 . A protective headwear apparatus comprising:
 an article of headwear comprising a portion contacting the head of a wearer and a brim portion; and   a shield attached to the brim portion of the headwear;   wherein the shield is comprised of a mesh lattice composed of a durable and flexible material.   
     
     
         2 . The protective headwear of  claim 1  in which the shield material is composed of PVC-coated fiberglass. 
     
     
         3 . The protective headwear of  claim 2  in which the shield measures between twenty-two (22) and twenty-three (23) inches along a length attached to the brim, and has a maximum height measured from the brim between nine (9) and eleven (11) inches. 
     
     
         4 . The protective headwear of  claim 1  in which the mesh lattice is a square mesh lattice measuring between 16 to 20 squares per inch. 
     
     
         5 . The protective headwear of  claim 1  in which the mesh lattice is a rectangular mesh lattice measuring between 16 to 20 vertical divisions per inch and between 16 to 20 horizontal divisions per inch. 
     
     
         6 . The protective headwear of  claim 4  in which the shield measures between twenty-two (22) and twenty-three (23) inches along a length attached to the brim, and has a height measured from the brim between nine (9) and eleven (11) inches. 
     
     
         7 . The protective headwear of  claim 5  in which the shield measures between twenty-two (22) and twenty-three (23) inches along a length attached to the brim, and has a height measured from the brim between nine (9) and eleven (11) inches. 
     
     
         8 . The protective headwear of  claim 6  in which the shield material is composed of PVC-coated fiberglass. 
     
     
         9 . The protective headwear of  claim 7  in which the shield material is composed of PVC-coated fiberglass. 
     
     
         10 . The protective headwear of  claim 3  in which the headwear apparatus comprises a baseball-style cap. 
     
     
         11 . The protective headwear of  claim 3  in which the headwear apparatus comprises a boonie-style hat. 
     
     
         12 . The protective headwear of  claim 3  in which the headwear apparatus comprises a visor. 
     
     
         13 . A face shield comprising:
 a mesh lattice composed of a durable and flexible material;   wherein at least a portion of one edge of the mesh lattice is adapted to be attached to a headwear article such that the face shield protects a substantial portion of the wearer's face and/or neck.   
     
     
         14 . The face shield of  claim 13  in which the material the mesh lattice is composed of PVC-coated fiberglass. 
     
     
         15 . The face shield of  claim 14  in which the face shield measures between twenty-two (22) and twenty-three (23) inches along a length attached to the article, and has a height measured extending from the article between nine (9) and eleven (11) inches. 
     
     
         16 . The face shield of  claim 15  in which the mesh lattice is a square mesh lattice measuring between 16 to 20 squares per inch. 
     
     
         17 . The face shield of  claim 15  in which the mesh lattice is a rectangular mesh lattice measuring between 16 to 20 vertical divisions per inch and between 16 to 20 horizontal divisions per inch. 
     
     
         18 . The face shield of  claim 13  in which the mesh lattice is a square mesh lattice measuring between 16 to 20 squares per inch. 
     
     
         19 . The face shield of  claim 13  in which the mesh lattice is a rectangular mesh lattice measuring between 16 to 20 vertical divisions per inch and between 16 to 20 horizontal divisions per inch. 
     
     
         20 . The face shield of  claim 18  in which the face shield measures between twenty-two (22) and twenty-three (23) inches wide and has a maximum height between nine (9) and eleven (11) inches. 
     
     
         21 . The face shield of  claim 19  in which the face shield measures between twenty-two (22) and twenty-three (23) inches wide and has a maximum height between nine (9) and eleven (11) inches.